Police department looking for victims of con man

PARK RIDGE – Police in Park Ridge have a sneaking suspicion that a man arrested on theft charges in March may have scammed dozens more people out of artwork, sports memorabilia, cars and other items.

Authorities believe David Ray Wooten of Chicago may have scammed more than 100 victims in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri. He’s in custody in the Cook County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Police said that to gain the trust of people he intended to steal from, the 63-year-old Wooten set up a fictitious company in Park Ridge. They said after he took possession of their items, he would not pay them as much as he’d promised.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Park Ridge Police Department at 847-318-5252.